high country: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Descriptive, geographical, literary, and in specific regional/agricultural contexts. More common in noun phrases than as a standalone term.
Quick answer
What does “high country” mean?
A region of high elevation, typically mountainous, hilly, or elevated plateau land, often remote or sparsely populated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A region of high elevation, typically mountainous, hilly, or elevated plateau land, often remote or sparsely populated.
More broadly, a term connoting wilderness, pastoral agriculture (especially sheep/cattle grazing), a specific climate, and a cultural or lifestyle identity (e.g., high country farmer). In New Zealand, it refers specifically to the South Island's mountainous interior used for pastoral farming.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'highlands' is far more common for mountainous regions (e.g., Scottish Highlands). 'High country' is rare but can be used descriptively. In the US, it's a standard term for elevated western regions (e.g., Colorado high country). In Australia/NZ, it's a standard, culturally-loaded term for specific agricultural regions.
Connotations
UK: Uncommon, slightly poetic/literary. US: Associated with the Rocky Mountains, skiing, hiking, and wilderness. Australia/NZ: Strongly associated with pastoral history, 'man from Snowy River' mythology, and sheep/cattle stations.
Frequency
Most frequent in US, Australian, and New Zealand English. Low frequency in British English except in specific contexts or imported media.
Grammar
How to Use “high country” in a Sentence
the + [Adjective] + high countryin the high countryhigh country + NounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high country” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare as verb) The trail high-countried its way across the peaks.
American English
- (Rare as verb) They high-countried across the continental divide.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as adverb)
American English
- (Not used as adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Attributive noun use) He is a classic high country shepherd.
American English
- (Attributive noun use) We stayed in a high country cabin.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism (e.g., 'high country ski resort') or agriculture (e.g., 'high country wool prices').
Academic
Used in geography, environmental studies, and agricultural science to describe specific biomes and land-use systems.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel, geography, farming, or outdoor activities in relevant regions.
Technical
In meteorology for high-altitude climate; in ecology for alpine/sub-alpine zones; in agriculture for specific farming practices.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high country”
- Using it as an adjective alone (e.g., 'It's a high country area' is less common than 'It's a high country station'). Confusing it with 'highland', which is more generic and global.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar, but 'highlands' is more common globally (e.g., Scottish Highlands). 'High country' has strong regional associations, particularly with Australia, New Zealand, and the western United States.
Typically, no. It implies significant elevation, often with alpine or sub-alpine characteristics. Rolling hills are not usually called 'high country'.
It is a two-word open compound noun, like 'living room'. It is often hyphenated when used attributively (before a noun), as in 'high-country trek'.
It refers to specific regions like the Victorian Alps and Snowy Mountains, which are central to national myths about pioneering, bush poetry (e.g., Banjo Paterson), and the agricultural industry.
A region of high elevation, typically mountainous, hilly, or elevated plateau land, often remote or sparsely populated.
High country is usually descriptive, geographical, literary, and in specific regional/agricultural contexts. more common in noun phrases than as a standalone term. in register.
High country: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈkʌntri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈkʌntri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “High country hospitality (Aus/NZ)”
- “High country tough”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a country (land) that is physically high up in the mountains.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEIGHT IS REMOTENESS/ PURITY. The 'high' country is metaphorically distant from the low, crowded, and corrupt world, representing freedom and simplicity.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the term 'high country' LEAST commonly used in everyday speech to describe domestic geography?